The remaining memories of streaming in the life of young adults

Abstract

Streaming has been a controversial issue in education for many years. This study is a replication study which explores whether streaming leaves long-term psychological impact on students. A qualitative phenomenological approach is adopted in this study. Eight former streamed students are interviewed. Results were compared to literature found and a previous local study. Results indicate that streaming produced psychological repercussions throughout out the respondents' adult lives. The labelling brought about by streaming was one of the major long-term psychological impacts. Other variables that affected the participants irrespective of gender were the school attended, peer group and teacher's perceptions. These three variables had a significant role on the academic achievements of the participants. The study also takes into consideration the current situation by attempting to give an idea on how the new reform, which will be put into practice by 2010, is perceived by former streamed students. Streamed students exhibit positive views on the reform.